Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXVII, Mainland Southeast Asia; Regional Affairs

233. Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Intelligence of the Central Intelligence Agency (Smith) to the Presidentʼs Special Assistant (Rostow)¹

Washington, April 22, 1968.

Attached in response to your request this morning are copies of two recent memoranda² which discuss the increasing evidence that Vietnamese Communists are receiving substantial amounts of military equipment via Southern Cambodia.

Joe Alsop has undoubtedly drawn upon MACV sources for his article in todayʼs Washington Post. We believe, however, that his tonnage estimates are too high.

R.J. Smith

Attachment³

Washington, March 7, 1968.

Intelligence Memorandum Prepared by the Directorate of Intelligence

RECENT COMMUNIST USES OF CAMBODIAN TERRITORY

Summary

The Communists continue to use Cambodian territory for tactical sanctuary, for base areas, for the infiltration of personnel, and as a source of rice, medicines, and sundry supplies. Communist base areas on the eastern border of Cambodia have continued to expand as the tempo of the war in South Vietnam has increased. We do not believe, however, that the step-up in military activity since the Tet offensive has taxed the capability of the established supply route from North Vietnam via Laos and the trail system along the Cambodian border.

There is a growing body of circumstantial evidence, however, that the Communists may have stepped up the acquisition of supplies through southern Cambodia. The appearance of new weaponry in the IV Corps area, along with the heavy expenditure of ammunition in the III and IV Corps areas, point to an increasing likelihood that Cambodia may be used to at least augment the military equipment which is reaching this area over more established routes from North Vietnam via Laos and the trails into South Vietnam.

[Here follow the body of the memorandum and a map entitled: “Major Vietnamese Communist Infiltration Routes and Base Areas Along the Cambodian Border.”]

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 5E (2)a, 1/68–10/68, Cambodia. No classification marking.
2. No documents were attached. The information memorandum of March 7 was apparently an attachment and its summary is printed as an attachment. (Ibid.) The other attachment was apparently CIA memorandum SC No. 01939/68, April 4, 1968, a more detailed 14-page account of North Vietnamese/Viet Cong use of Cambodia, not printed. (Ibid.)
3. Secret.